Galley Hatch to Hampton: We'll fix intersection in trade for parking

HAMPTON — Selectmen are considering an offer from the owner of the Galley Hatch restaurant to pay to reconfigure one of the most “dangerous intersections in town.”

Attorney Peter Saari, representing Galley Hatch owner John Tinios, said his client is willing to realign the intersection of Winnacunnet Road and Route 1 into a T-shape.

The road improvement, Saari told selectmen Monday night, is an offsite improvement as part of a proposal to demolish the Hampton Cinema Six and replace it with a CVS Pharmacy and retail space.

“We don’t mind going in and doing this, but in return we would like to get additional parking for the citizens who go to the Galley Hatch,” Saari said.

The reconfiguration of the intersection would eliminate the island with the right and left lane spur on Winnacunnet Road.

In return for footing the bill for the roadwork, Saari said, the restaurant would like to use the town-owned land to add six additional parking spaces and to install a 25-foot strip of green space that would wrap around the Galley Hatch property.

The majority of selectmen said they were in favor of the project but the board wanted to investigate it more.

Selectman Richard Bateman said the reconfiguration of the intersection is a recommendation that was made in the Route 1 corridor study.

“It’s the most dangerous intersection in town, and if we have an opportunity to fix it, then we should,” Bateman said.

Selectman Rick Griffin said there have been numerous accidents over the years at the intersection.

“To me, it’s a miracle there hasn’t been more accidents,” Griffin said.

Details on whether the town would give away the land or enter into a lease agreement with the restaurant have yet to be determined.

The proposal would also have to go before a Town Meeting vote.

Saari said the new CVS development will move forward with or without the reconfiguration of the roadway.

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